HK Models' latest release seems to have disappointed a few people and reviewers with this as the rumour mill had got all hyped up for another big box full of plastic.
However, this is a logical release with a surprise inside the box. It will be welcome to modellers who don't have the room for the full size Lancaster in 1/32 scale and this cut down of just the nose section of the kit will make an excellent display in the cabinet. If this release proves to be successful sales wise then there could be a line of them.
A small box this time with a larger section of the original release artwork which will stand out on shelves in shops.
Inside the box is the parts from the Lancaster kit for the nose area. There are some new parts too of which one may raise eyebrows.
This is a new sprue. It builds up to provide the stand that the Lancaster nose sits on. You could make your own, but a paint job on this would be quite nice I think.
With the original first kit release you got this:
The frame and rib detail detracted from the interior detail.
With this release you get this:
The internal frame and stringer detail has been removed and there are just panel lines on the exterior. This is in response to builders feedback and I think that adding the riveting patterns on the exterior would not harm the view into the interior. We will have to see what happens in future kits.
The decals are cartograf and there are 4 nose art choices.
If none of those are what you are looking for Kits World have a selection of different Lancaster decal sets for you to choose from.
https://www.kitsworld.co.uk/index.php?CATEGORY=3&SUB=10
This is a surprise to many who had build themselves up to a big kit and are out there voicing their disappointment but I think that it is a nice thing that model builders would like to have in their display cabinets and there could be many under the tree this Christmas.
No announcement by UK distributor as to pricing yet.